Education Member – Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park – Build Up Technical Internship Program

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one member to contribute to education projects alongside NPS Staff.

About Build Up Technical Internship Program: This position is part of the Build Up Technical Internship Program facilitated by the Historic Preservation Training Center. The Build Up Technical Internship Program is working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates.

For more information about the Build Up Technical Internship Program, please visit the NPS website.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 19, 2025

Estimated End Date: May 15, 2026

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, located in South Louisiana, protects the cultural heritage and natural resources of Louisiana’s Mississippi River Delta region. The nearest cities to the park are New Orleans and Lafayette. The park includes many hiking and canoe trails through the wetland ecosystem.

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, near the French Quarter of New Orleans, presents the history and progression of jazz in the city.

For more information about Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: JELA/JAZZ has been without an Education Coordinator for nearly five years, and the park’s educational materials are in need of updating. Candidate will work with the JELA/JAZZ Manager for Interpretation and Education and other JELA/JAZZ interpretation rangers to 1) develop curriculum-based park programs and provide resources that inform rangers about educational requirements and goals; 2) develop lesson plans and education resource packets that feature current knowledge and research of JELA/JAZZ natural and cultural and historical resources; 3) develop materials for distance/virtual learning; 4) develop and/or update virtual tours for park units. Candidate will work Monday through Friday during regular business hours, primarily from the JELA/JAZZ headquarters building located New Orleans’ French Quarter, but will need to travel to each of our park’s units to work with park staff (Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery in Chalmette, LA, Barataria Preserve in Marrero, LA, Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux, LA, and Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, LA). Candidate may work with JELA Resource Management and other park divisions to gather current research necessary to achieve program goals.

The Build Up member will assist the park with all aspects of design and construction starting with project inception and working through project completion.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Candidate will work Monday through Friday during regular business hours, primarily from the JELA/JAZZ headquarters building located New Orleans’ French Quarter, but will need to travel to each of our park’s units to work with park staff (Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery in Chalmette, LA, Barataria Preserve in Marrero, LA, Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux, LA, and Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, LA), each of which is within a day’s drive.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~32hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $672/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or the National Park Service.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position-specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include federal resume-building.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Education and experience in curriculum and/or program development.
• Knowledge of education principles and practices, accessibility, and New Orleans history.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, and be independently motivated.
• Deep interest in the National Park Service, history, the environment, and education.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

b: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE’s online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Historic Preservation Project Manager, Kyle Ellison.

ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.